A report on the world's Lithium resources and reserves by R. Keith Evans. For a DOC/PDF version of this report, please contact the author.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

ABSTRACT

In 1976 a National Research Council Panel estimated that Western World lithium reserves and resources totaled 10.6 million tonnes as elemental lithium.

Subsequent discoveries, particularly in brines in the southern Andes and the plateaus of western China and Tibet have increased the tonnages significantly. Geothermal brines and lithium bearing clays add to the total.

This current estimate totals 28.4 million tonnes Li equivalent to more than 150.0 million tonnes of lithium carbonate of which nearly 14.0 million tonnes lithium (about 74.0 million tonnes of carbonate) are at active or proposed operations.

This can be compared with current demand for lithium chemicals which approximates to 84,000 tonnes as lithium carbonate equivalents (16,000 tonnes Li).

Concerns regarding lithium availability for hybrid or electric vehicle batteries or other foreseeable applications are unfounded.

55 comments:

It would appear that there is soon to be an overabundance of Li with demand catching up. It also appears that Silver Peak reserves may be soon be gone and I wonder how this will affect Chemetall's position in the world of Li as SQM is gaining ground by leaps and bounds.

The only lithium brine producer in North America is by Chemitall's Silver Stream property.

Only two company with projects nearby is TNR (TNR:TSX) and Rodinia (RM:TSX)

I'm not sure I can agree with the lithium abundance idea - li carbonate sells for $6000-15000/tonne and in various forms for glass/drugs and of course, batteries - huge fluctuation occur because of the mostly industrial price quoting systems

I am trying to understand this Lithium Industry. One thing is there are many articles and throw different prices for Li Carbonate. Following is from the Forbes.com

The solar energy keeps SQM's costs to an estimated $1,260 per ton of lithium carbonate.

It sells that ton for up to $12,000.http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/1124/034.html

Please help me. This is the Li Carbonate price and not the anodes which goes into Lithium Battery correct. What is the price for LiCo3 now with the recession. Any advise from all the experts greatly appreciated

Availability of raw materials has always been a concern for manufacturing equipment. It will continue to be a concern in the future. This is why mining will always be a necessary and viable industry.Mining University